Audubon County Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Audubon Co., Iowa) 1885-1894, 1887-01-06
..Mattiel''

His face lighted up. and he reache
out his arms to draw her near him
With a surprised. painful look. sh
drew back.
''Mr. Gardner, this is most unex
pected meeting"
Mr.. Gardnerp' he repeated. ':Mat
tie, what do you meanp"
Don't call me Matte, if you please,
she replied with dignity. '.My name il
PhillipsP"
"Ph llips" he echoed. care yol
married."
"These are strange words from you
Paul Gardner; did you think / wa:
waiting all this time for another wo
mans husband2 That was keeping
my faith with one who played me false
so soon?"
PLAYED you false! l have not
am come as l promised you. Two
years are just past, and / am here to
claim you. Why do you greet me
.husP Are you indeed married. Matte
Gray?"
She was trembling like an aspen leaf.
For answer she turned and pointed to
the cradle. He came and stood before
her, with white face and folded arms.
Tell me why you d d this! Didn't
you love me well enough to wait for
mep"
She went and unlocked drawer and
took out newspaper. Unfolding it
and finding the place, she pointed at it
with her finger, and he read the mar
riage notice.
what of this?' he asked, as he
met her questioning, reproachful look.
80, Matte! you thought it meant
me. 1t is my cousin. am not mar
ried. nor in love with any one but
you"
"Arc you telling me the truth?' she
asked, in an eager, husky voice.
. And then. rs he replied, 1T is true"
she gave low groan and sank down
into n chair.
20. Paul. forgive me! 1t nearly
broke my heart! dat know that you
had cousin by the same name. [
ought not to have doubted you; but
twas there in black and VIII te-and
this man, M, husband, came, and 1
married him!'
With bitter tears she told him how 1t
all happened. With clinched hands he
walked to and fro, then stopped hes de
the cradle, and bent over the sleeping
child. Lower be bent, until his lips
touched its wee forehead, VIII lie he
murmered softly to himself, Matt e's
baby
Then he turned. and, kneeling before
her, said, in low voice, 81 forgive
YOU, Matte; be as happy as YOU Cali.
He took both her hands in his, and
looked, steadily. lovingly. into her
face. His ! ps tw tched convulsively
as he rose to his feet. Il have no right
here.-you are another mans wife.
Good-by God bless you!"
He turned as he went out of the
door, and saw her standing there in
the middle of the room, with arms out
stretched. He went back, and, putting
his arms around her, pressed enc kiss
on her cheek. then left the house, new
Ell looking back.
And she went down on her knees be-
side her Sic ping baby and prayed for
strength to bear her great trial. They
never saw one another again.
Seventy years old! Her stalwart sons
and bright eyed daughters remember
her as a LOVING and devoted mother,
her grey-ha red husband as most
faithful wife.
Never was woman more patient
and kind, and rs good II housewife as
ever was" he said as he brushed the
back of his old brown hand across his
eyes while looking down on the peace
fui face.
And not one of them ever knew of
the weary heart and broken hope that
had died in her breast. nor ever dream
ed of the sorrowful load she mad
borne through life.